Grant sacked as Chelsea manager

25May08

Chelsea have sacked manager Avram Grant after just eight months in charge. The decision followed two days of talks between Grant, 53, and the club’s chief executive Peter Kenyon. The Israeli coach’s position had been subject to intense speculation after Chelsea finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League. Russia coach Guus Hiddink, fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson are among the early favourites to replace Grant. Chelsea said in a statement on their website that the search for a new coach would now begin and that the club will make no further comment. The statement said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days. “Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. People are even speculating about the return of Jose Mourinho.